Curious About Cilantro

by hungrysofia on 17 April 2010

I’ve never had a problem with cilantro but I’m always surprised by how many do. Harold McGee’s Cilantro Haters, It’s Not Your Fault, from this week’s New York Times Dining & Wine section, seems to have hit a Facebook nerve because I’ve seen it re-posted and commented on all week. Personally, I actually like the soapy taste that some complain about and enjoy it both on my plate and in my shampoo.

People in the U.S. have hated garlic for decades. Minimizing its use to only 1 clove (which imparts absolutely no flavor!!) per recipe. Garlic eaters (like Italians) were looked upon unfavorably. Emeril Lagasse while he was live on Food Network cooked with garlic almost every show. He would also throw into his dishes no less than 16 CLOVES per recipe. He had a following of 80 million viewers. Ergo, people follow trends if garlic is good today there is NO reason why it shouldn’t have been gopod yesterday. People as in “the herd” (even if they are highly schooled) follow trends and not their individualistic perceptions and tastes. Cilantro is absolutely delicious if combined with the right ingredients. In Europe the potato was considered disgusting prior to the 1700s. And the French fry is king today.